One thing you need to get straight, stretch marks are completely natural to have as a woman. They are caused by different things including pregnancy and the natural stretch of the skin. Fortunately, there are stretch mark creams that would help reduce the marks on the skin.
With the expansion of the cosmetics industry, there are various products that cater to the needs of the skin, and that includes stretch marks. These marks appear as a result of various body changes but mainly because the skin elasticity has been stretched to the fullest, causing lines to appear like stripes.
There are different products that swear they can do justice to your stretch marks and frankly it could be confusing as to what to believe. This is why we want to help every woman, especially pregnant ones, find out what to look for in a good stretch mark and how to use it to get the best results.
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Shopping Guide
So when you want to purchase a stretch mark cream, you have questions that need answering. There are questions like what should you look for in a stretch mark remover, will it truly work, how I should properly use it. You have burning questions you want to answer because you need the product. Well, do not worry, we are here to give you answers to all the important questions you have.
What are stretch mark creams?
Like we said, having stretch marks is a totally natural occurrence. It happened because your body is going through some changes including puberty, weight gain, genetics, and the most common among women, pregnancy. It occurs because the skin’s ability to generate new skin is slower than its ability to grow. Then you see blotched lines around the affected areas.
Stretch marks make some people uncomfortable, especially when they’ve found their way to areas of the skin like thighs, stomach, arms, and chest. Bye-bye bikini.
So how do you tackle these lines? You use a stretch mark cream.
Stretch mark creams are products used to treat or reduce stretch marks on the body. They can also be used to prevent stretch marks from appearing. They work by helping to prevent skin breakdown by hydrating the skin. The creams with effective results have been seen to contain substances that are natural like essential oils and plant extracts.
What are the benefits of stretch mark creams?
If you are thinking of using a stretch mark product, be sure to know you will be getting great benefits out of it just like any other body cream. Not only can these creams reduce and prevent stretch marks, but they can also do many more.
Check the following advantages below:
- They hydrate the skin and give it the elasticity it needs through oils.
- They stimulate the cells and increase collagen and elastin. The most common stimulant you will find in a stretch a mark cream is called Centella asistica.
- The aroma also works well for the skin.
- They provide vitamins A, E, F and provitamin B5, which have been discovered to be good for the skin.
- It easy to apply and keeps the skin in good shape.
Do stretch mark creams eliminate stretch marks?
Stretch marks are quite stubborn once they appear. They are hard to clear off, especially if they have been sitting on the skin for a long time. It could become tough to get rid of them completely if you are not acting on them properly. One of the ways to eliminate stretch marks is applying stretch mark creams early on when they are still fresh.
Unfortunately, there is no miracle-working cream that can successfully clear off stretch marks in a short period of time. What has been discovered is that stretch marks creams do reduce the effects of stretch mark on the body and slowly clears it out until it is less prominent.
You have to have patience in fighting stretch marks. Make time your best ally, when it comes to using stretch mark creams. You will have to stay consistent too, as months might go by before the stretch marks slowly start to fade.
If you are choosing stretch mark creams, here are some tips you should follow to get the best out of them
Tips
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E helps to reduce scarring and can help in the visibility of stretch marks. Whatever you are buying must have this substance in it.
- Retinoids: they are derivatives from vitamin A and are used to treat acne, wrinkles, and scars, even those left by stretch marks. Retinoids can be topically applied but should be avoided during pregnancy. They are ideal for treating stretch mark scars after giving birth.
- Early application: Use the product early on after the stretch marks appear. If the stretch marks mature, they could become difficult to clear.
- Consistency: This will help you in the long run. If you are consistent with your application, you see the effects of the cream after a while.
- Stay away from creams that have parabens or any other form of preservatives because they are not good for the skin.
Can these creams combat all types of stretch marks?
Yes, they do. Stretch mark creams can work on different types of stretch marks. For marks caused by breast implants, pregnancy, weight gain, steroid use, genetics, growth sprout, or medical conditions, stretch mark creams can help reduce all types.
For easy classification, stretch marks have two broad types. They are the red stretch marks and the white stretch marks.
The red stretch marks are newly appeared stretch marks. These types of marks are caused by the blood vessel under the skin giving the marks reddish color. The good thing about them is that they are easy to treat and also prevent.
The white marks are older in nature, which makes them difficult to eliminate. They are white because the blood vessels under the skin narrow, making collagen production even more difficult.
How do stretch mark creams work?
When using a stretch mark cream, you would be getting solutions to two things; prevention and reduction.
Prevention: You can prevent the stretch marks from showing by applying them to your skin. It will also keep your skin hydrated and nourished. If you used prescribed or approved creams, especially when pregnant, you can reduce your chances of developing stretch marks.
Reduction: The creams also work to eliminate already existing stretch marks. You should know that the chances of you getting rid of your stretch marks completely are slim but the creams will focus on reducing it. This is why the creams have to be rich in vitamins A and E to help your skin.
What ingredients should be avoided?
Sometimes to achieve good results, some stretch mark creams contain harmful or wrong ingredients that would cause more harm than good. If you are buying an anti-stretch mark product during pregnancy, avoid the ones using vitamin A because they contain retinoids. Retinoids are used to treat scarring, acne, and wrinkles but they also have congenital disabilities when taken orally.
While most stretch marks cream are mostly used topically, pregnant women have been advised to stay away or avoid retinoids in any form. If you are expecting a baby, avoid all products that have vitamin A labeled on the ingredient list. Though you can use it after birth.
How can I prevent stretch marks?
If you are experiencing rapid stretching of your skin, then stretch marks are bound to appear. For pregnant women, your abdomen, thighs, and other parts of your body will grow rapidly. You can proactively react to this by using creams to prevent the appearance of stretch marks.
If you are just experiencing normal body changes or growth, there is no sure answer that you can prevent stretch marks from showing. You can follow these tips to help you maintain good skin.
- Consult your doctor to tell you the appropriate healthy weight you should gain.
- Always stay hydrated to keep your skin from stretching.
- Eat food with certain nutrients that would help to create collagen, which improves the elasticity of the skin. Nutrients like vitamin C, E, B2, B3, silica, and zinc are very good.
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Shopping Criteria
Even though you have all the information you need to buy your stretch mark cream, you still need to check some criteria off your list. These criteria are what will influence your final buying choice. If you are buying your product online, you need to use these criteria to evaluate the items.
Shelf life
The expiration of any product is important. The same goes for stretch mark creams. You must always check the expiration date of the cream before buying. Generally, a new product shouldn’t last less than 12 months, so you have to buy a cream that has more than one-year shelf life.
Ingredients
The ingredients in a stretch mark cream are quite important when choosing a product to buy. The cream should be free of preservatives, petrochemical substances, dyes, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and alcohol. Stay away from these ingredients especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Aroma
This criterion is not as irrelevant as you think. But stretch marks affect pregnant women, so it is important to them. This is because the body changes during this period and odors could be very deceiving. Therefore, it is recommended you opt for creams with a good aroma to avoid vomiting or nausea.
Size
The package a stretch mark cream comes in is also important. Most manufacturers offer the same product in either small or larger sizes. For pregnant women, you should follow your prescription by the manufacturers, but it is best to use it twice a day from the second trimester of your pregnancy.
Absorption
Stretch mark creams are usually advertised as ‘fast absorption’ products. You should opt for a stretch mark cream that absorbs quickly, that way you will be able to do other things like getting dressed and moving avoid. this affords you the flexibility you need, especially if you are pregnant and your movements are restricted or tedious.
Recommended Stretch Mark Creams
To help you make easier choice, we have created a list of the best stretch mark creams available. The products have good user feedback and you can purchase it rat your own convenience.
Best Overall
Palmer’s has come a long way in the skincare industry. The brand has the best overall stretch mark lotion with their Cocoa Butter Formula. The lotion visibly improves skin elasticity. Also, it reduces stretch marks and weight fluctuation from pregnancy. The lotion massages the skin and acts as a softener, being rich in Vitamin E and lutein.
It is the No. 1 stretch mark cream brand in the U.S. with 98% of women seeing an improved skin texture and elasticity. The lotion is particularly made with sensitive skins in mind. It has argan oil and almond oil to moisturize and keep the skin supple. You can target the lotion on stretch marks on your hips, thighs, tummy, and bust area.
Best Organic
Using natural ingredients will ensure the safety of your skin. Botanic Tree’s Stretch Mark Remover is meant for all skin types. Made from organic cocoa butter, it helps to minimize stretch marks during pregnancy. It is made without chemicals or preservatives like parabens and non-toxic ingredients.
The cream hydrates the skin better than most standard stretch mark creams. It contains humectants that attract moisture. You can use it for post-partum care.
Best Scar Removal
This product helps to treat old scars from stretch marks. Made with shea butter and cocoa, it works as a moisturizer to the skin. The cream also contains Vitamin E to conceal and fade scars and stretch marks. The nourishing cream is packed with natural ingredients to hydrate and soften the skin texture, without harming it.
Summary
stretch marks are seen as a blotch on the body, especially for pregnant women whose skin stretches during their pregnancy period. that is why you should go for stretch mark creams that would help you reduce the stretch mark effects on your body. there are various good products to choose from in the market and fit for every skin type.
Before buying, make sure to read the ingredients list for any potentially harmful ingredients if you’re pregnant. After reading this article, you are now armed with enough information to help your buying decision. But if in doubt, consult your doctor for more clarifications.
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